Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Mental health has been an increasingly pressing issue for the European Union, affecting millions of citizens across all Member States. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the prevalent mental health crisis, with the pandemic’s economic and social consequences leading to a significant rise in psychological problems. Even tough mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, it has long been a neglected area of public health. In recent years, however, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of this topic and Member States as well as EU institutions are finally beginning to take concrete actions.
Mental health as a global problem
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people will experience mental health issues at some point in their lives. The organization also notes that mental health disorders are now a leading cause of disability worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has further enhanced the global nature of mental health, with individuals across the world experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of the crisis. While the specific challenges and solutions may vary by region, there is a growing recognition that the deterioration in mental health is a universal issue that requires a coordinated response.
Priority for the EU institutions
The European Parliament has been a strong advocate for tackling mental health issues, recognizing the importance of a comprehensive mental health strategy, and a coordinated EU approach. Apart from the activities of parliamentary intergroups focused on mental health, the European Parliament recently decided to set up a new subcommittee on public health, giving MEPs a clear opportunity to drive the discussion forward on how the common mental health challenges can be addressed.
In recent years, there has been also growing involvement of the European Commission, which have begun to take an active role in promoting mental health and well-being. Following the statement of Commission President von der Leyen from September 2022, which addressed the urgent need to provide appropriate, accessible, and affordable mental health support, DG SANTE is currently preparing a proposal for a comprehensive mental health approach which is set to be published in the first half of June 2023.
At Member State level, national governments have been increasingly recognizing the urgency of addressing mental health issues, especially as there is often a shortage of mental health professionals to meet the growing demand for care which puts additional pressure on public health systems. In this sense, the upcoming Spanish and Belgian Presidencies of the Council of the EU already announced mental health as one of the priority topics of their agendas.
Apart from the discussions about the need to tackle prevention and treatment of individuals, governments and policymakers are increasingly aware that investing in mental health can have significant economic benefits, not only in terms of healthcare savings but also in terms of increased productivity and improved social outcomes. As a result, economic discussions about the sustainability of healthcare systems are complementing expert discussions on mental health, with policymakers seeking to find innovative solutions that balance the needs of individuals with the economic realities of healthcare systems.
EU comprehensive approach
Developing a comprehensive approach to mental health requires a broad perspective that accounts for different factors influencing mental well-being. This shall include a variety of social and economic factors, such as poverty, unemployment, and inadequate access to healthcare. At the same time, the future comprehensive approach shall also address topics such as discrimination and exclusion or exposure to violence, as those can also seriously affect mental well-being.
Furthermore, there is a range of phenomena that are closely interconnected with mental health such as addictions. This has been specifically highlighted at the expert roundtable organized by the co-chairs of the MEP Alliance for Mental Health in the European Parliament in April 2023. Participating scientists and stakeholders agreed that even though this connection is accepted as a fact by experts and should be approached based on the reduction of harm principle, it is rarely addressed by decision-makers. The ongoing debates around mental health at the EU level thus open a window of opportunity to discuss and address these topics together in a holistic manner.
This is also for example recognized by the world’s foremost expert on addictions, Dr. Gabor Mate, who argues that people who struggle with addiction have experienced significant trauma or adversity in their lives, and that addiction can be seen as a coping mechanism to deal with the pain caused by these experiences.
Way forward?
In order to achieve the desired results, the upcoming mental health approach should follow the example of other similar EU initiatives and be clear on its goals, milestones, and timeline. This will allow for monitoring of the progress over time and for the potential adjustment of policies in case the goals are not reached.
More so, the European Commission’s new initiative should be evidence-based and built on best practices developed in Member States. It should draw inspiration from the various national strategies and actions plans, and support cross-border cooperation of experts, scientists, and policy makers at all levels.
It is beyond doubt that mental health will be one of the prominent topics of the upcoming decade. Even though the EU has made in the recent years significant strides in prioritizing this topic, it is crucial to continue the current efforts. Mental health must be placed among the top priorities of not only the European Commission, but also the European Parliament and the future Presidencies of the Council.
